“Explore Fairfield County” is an informational series that provides a glimpse into the wonderful towns and cities in Fairfield County. Fairfield County is diverse, including big cities, small suburbs, beaches, farms, and busy highways. It spans a large geographic area and, as a result, offers a wealth of opportunities for families. To help you get the most out of Fairfield County, our contributors have shared the top things they love about each local area. To read more in this series, click here.
Danbury is ranked the fourth most diverse small city in the United States. It is packed with shopping, restaurants, an active downtown, and many annual cultural events, yet it is filled with natural park spaces and home to the shores of Candlewood Lake. Many newcomers are drawn to its convenient commute to New York, Stamford, or Norwalk. It is home to Western Connecticut State University’s two downtown campuses.
Whether you prefer sprawling suburbs, lakeside communities, or city living, Danbury has you covered.
The Great Outdoors
Danbury has several parks and recreational facilities that offer numerous possibilities. The city has 1644 acres of open space! There are many opportunities to get outside in this city, with a public golf course, hiking trails, two dog parks, Candlewood Lake, sports fields, parks, playgrounds, and three splash pads. Our family’s favorites are Rogers Park Playground, Kenosia Park Splash Pad, and hiking in Tarrywile Park.
Richter Park is a 230-acre park with an 18-hole golf course and pro shop, marked hiking trails, tennis courts, winter recreation, the Richter Arts Association center, outdoor summer theater, Musicals at Richter and Cafe on the Green Restaurant, which offers fine dining and patio seating with a grill area.
Candlewood Town Park borders the shores of Candlewood Lake. The park offers benches, picnic tables, a concession stand, playgrounds (with updated equipment in 2024), a beach, swimming facilities, and a boating dock. Season and day passes are available through the city of Danbury.
Things To Do
Danbury Public Library is located in beautiful downtown Danbury. My children and I have enjoyed many weekly story times, library events, and exploring their children’s section, which is HUGE and recently remodeled. The library has added a Sensory Space equipped with various furniture and items that provide visual, tactile, auditory, and proprioceptive stimuli. The purpose of the space is to provide an environment that offers the opportunity to manage stress and anxiety, work through emotions, explore the senses, and improve focus.
Danbury Railway Museum is a fun place to visit with your little engineers. The museum offers exhibits, operated train rides, birthday parties, and special holiday events such as a pumpkin patch train ride with Santa or the Easter bunny.
Danbury Ice Arena offers programs for all ages and abilities, including Public Skate, Learn to Skate, Learn to Play Hockey, leagues, camps, and clinics. They are home to the Federal Hockey League Eastern Division champions, the Danbury Hattricks. The arena has been fully renovated, featuring amenities such as a new café and bar that serve craft beer, RTD cocktails, and Kash & Liv Coffee Creations. New to the 2025 season is Spice City Futbal Club, a new professional soccer team in the Major Arena Soccer League. Arena hours of operation fluctuate, and reservations for public skating are required.
Ives Concert Park is a prestigious, world-class performing arts center. This outdoor amphitheater is situated on 40 wooded acres, featuring a pond, gardens, and public hiking trails, and is located on the west side of the Western Connecticut State University campus. Ives hosts a variety of world-renowned international, national, regional, and local artists, offering a truly unique art experience in harmony with a natural environment, where trees and stars become the backdrop for cultural enrichment.
Musicals at Richter is the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut. The 2025 schedule will feature Evita, The Little Mermaid, Fairy Tale Theater, and Beetlejuice Jr., a summer youth musical.
Jumpz Indoor Trampoline Park is taking reservations for jumping, laser tag, and arcade. Mini birthday party packages are also available. Next door to Jumpz is Thrillz Adrenaline Park, which offers axe throwing, laser tag, gyro tumbling, and an arcade.
Xtreme Play features nine attractions, a full arcade, and a café offering a variety of food, treats, and drinks. Rock wall, laser tag, bumper cars, ropes course, laser tag, mini bowling, and obstacle courses are some of our favorite things to do at Xtreme Play. Xtreme Play hosts birthday parties and group events.
Danbury Duckpin Lanes have been entertaining residents for 40 years. Located in Hatters Park, this is a perfect activity for a rainy day. The smaller balls used in duckpin bowling are perfect for little hands. Lane rentals are available on weekends by the hour, and the facility also hosts parties.
Danbury Green
The Danbury Green is the home of City Center Danbury’s cultural events and festivals. Eighteen events are already scheduled for 2025!
The Danbury Farmers Market operates from June through October. Located on Danbury Green, we enjoy picking out fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods while shopping at local vendors.
Children’s Sports
The Danbury Athletic Youth Organization (DAYO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting organized youth sports and fostering character development among the youth of the Danbury area. Over 1,400 children in the Danbury area participate in DAYO programs, which are run by volunteers.
Danbury Police Activities League is a nonprofit organization that provides seasonal community programs for youth activities and sports. Danbury Youth Soccer Club provides recreational, travel, and premier leagues for Danbury youth. Hat City Youth Sports offers recreational basketball programs for Danbury youth.
Dance
I can’t write about Danbury without sharing our incredible dance studio, Danbury Dynamic Dance & Fitness. They offer special dance classes for toddlers, children, teens, and adults, and we are so thankful to be part of the DDF dance family.
Shop Small or Big
Danbury is home to so many big retailers, and I am lucky to choose between (or go to both) Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s in my town.
Halas Farm is a fully functioning family farm with deep roots in the community. You can shop at Halas for almost anything: fresh fruit, veggies, pasta, dairy (Arethusa), baked goods, gardening and landscaping, flowers and plants for your garden, seasonal décor, and a wonderful selection of gifts and home décor. Need a gift? They make gorgeous gift baskets for any occasion.
The Danbury Fair Mall was built on the grounds of the Great Danbury State Fair, which ran in some capacity from 1821 until 1981. A carnival still runs in its parking lot each summer. There is a carousel in the food court, echoing the fairground site the mall was built on.
The mall deserves a category of its own. It is home to just about any retail store you would need, and if you can’t find what you are looking for there, you can go to a neighboring shopping center, Danbury Square, or the Shoppes at Marcus Dairy.
The mall was once my favorite place in the colder months to push my babies around in their strollers and get some much-needed time outside my house. As my children grew, it became a destination for a special day together. A day out at the mall included morning playtime at Kids Klub, lunch, browsing the Lego store, and a carousel ride to end the day.
Round 1 Bowling & Arcade joined the Danbury Mall recently and is a great place for indoor fun! With bowling, an arcade, karaoke, billiards, food, and a bar, Round 1 has something for everyone.
Restaurants
I could write a post or perhaps an encyclopedia on the restaurants in Danbury. There are too many to choose from – fast food, fast-casual, chain restaurants, upscale dining, diverse cultural choices, steakhouses, and BBQ. I’m a local and still have a bucket list of places to visit. I will leave you with a small-ish list of favorites:
Diner: Holiday Diner is a favorite for classic diner food and delicious milkshakes. Follow them on social media for their famous Shake of the Month announcements.
BBQ: The Cue, Farmboys Smokin BBQ, Minas Carne (Brazilian BBQ), Po-Yo (rotisserie chicken)
Bar Fare: Molly Darcy’s, Pippa’s Sports Cafe
Italian: Terra, Pappadella’s, Dolce, Della Francesca
Latin American: Puerta Vallarta, Panchos Tacos, Mariposa Taqueria, Empire of the Incas
Mediterranean: Mykonos, Sesame Seed, Kibberia
Asian: Bambu, Ichiro, Zen Asian Kitchen
Steakhouse: Mix Prime, Jim Barbarie’s, Barbarie’s Grill, Chuck’s Steakhouse, Prime Pub
Pizza: Bambino’s, Martino’s (tucked away in a local neighborhood, you would never know it was there), Stanziato’s, or Frank Pepes
Deli: Westside Deli, Capers Too, Lou’s Deli
Bagel: Bagelman or Stew Leonard’s
Good Food But Make It Healthy: Boost Bowls serves Acai bowls, smoothies, salads, protein shakes, and more. I love that this is what my children beg for as takeout. Each bowl looks like a work of art and is delicious, too!
Best Date Night or Girls’ Night Out: MarketPlace or Craft Kitchen & Bar
Currently, in the building process, Elicit Brewery will be coming to Danbury!
Sweet Treats
Il Bacio means “the kiss,” and when you walk inside this homemade ice cream store, the walls are covered in family pictures and sweet real-life pictures of couples kissing. The ice cream is delicious, and the store is dangerously close to my house. I love popping in and grabbing quarts of our favorites to have at home. Il Bacio is open from March to November.
Dubl Twister is a family-owned and operated homemade ice cream shop. They have many fun flavors and are located near the WestConn campus. Grounds Donuts House is an artisanal donut and coffee shop. They combine classic flavors with new, fun favorites. They are loved by kids and adults alike!
Don’t let the name Mothership Bakery fool you. It is so much more than baked goods! Breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and organic coffee and tea are available for both sit-down and takeout service.
Stew Leonard’s is a local favorite for grabbing a quick ice cream treat, a prepared meal or attending a kid’s event. Okay, you can do just about anything at Stew Leonard’s, but I’ve included it in sweet treats because it’s still one of my favorite classic soft serves.
Staycation
Are you looking for a close getaway? Hotel Zero Degrees is an upscale boutique hotel perfect for a close night away. The hotel hosts meetings and events and is home to Terra, one of my favorite restaurants.
Whether you are visiting for the day or the night or plan on making Danbury your home, there are many options to keep you busy in this exciting city. I hope you get the chance to explore Danbury soon!
